Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella

Characters

Cinderella
Stepmother
Godmother
The Prince
Stepsister Portia
Stepsister Joy
King
Queen

Synopsis:

Cinderella, treated like a slave by her Stepmother and stepsisters Portia and Joy, seeks refuge in her own little corner of the house, where she daydreams of a better life. Meanwhile, the King and Queen prepare for a formal ball they are giving in order to find a wife for their son, the Prince. The Prince wonders when he will find his true love, and the King assures him that lasting love will come to him.

On the night of the ball, Cinderella fantasizes about attending. Cinderella’s Godmother teases her for harboring impossible dreams. Cinderella is miraculously provided with a beautiful gown and a fancy carriage. Warned that this magic will last only until midnight, Cinderella leaves for the ball. Her Godmother realizes that dreams can indeed come true.

At the ball, the Prince invites a mysterious beauty (actually the dressed-up Cinderella) to dance. Portia and Joy glare and jealously criticize the Prince's choice of women. Cinderella and the Prince marvel that they have fallen in love after knowing each other for only ten minutes. As midnight is about to strike, Cinderella flees, leaving only one of her glass slippers behind.

The next day, Cinderella dreamily recalls the ball. Portia and Joy, believing that their stepsister can only be imagining the ball, marvel at her accuracy. A Herald announces the arrival of the Prince, who, armed with the glass slipper, has begun to search far and wide for his mysterious love. Cinderella's suspicious Stepmother orders Cinderella out of the house so that she won't ruin Portia and Joy’s chances with the Prince. To the delight of Cinderella and her Godmother, magic once again provides assistance, and the Prince recognizes Cinderella. He places the glass slipper on her foot and, lo and behold, it fits. Cinderella and the Prince are joyously united.

La Cenerentola (Rossini's Cinderella)

Characters

Don Magnifico
Cenerentola
Tisbe
Clorinda
Don Ramiro
Dandini
Alidoro
Courtiers, pages, and guests at the Ball

Synopsis:

The story opens in the tumble-down mansion of the Baron Don Magnifico A beggar, or so it seems, arrives at the door. The man is really Alidoro, tutor of the prince, Don Ramiro. He is going around the kingdom in disguise to find a suitable bride for his master. Clorinda and Tisbe tell Alidoro to go away, but the good-hearted Cenerentola gives him a cup of coffee and some bread. Pages from the Royal court arrive to the house and explain that Don Ramiro will soon appear to invite the sisters to a magnificent ball at his palace, where he will choose a young woman to become his wife.

Suddenly, the Prince's valet, or so it seems, arrives. It is really the Prince himself, Don Ramiro, in disguise. He has already been told by Alidoro that a beautiful and kind young woman lives in Don Magnifico's home, and he has come to see for himself. When Cenerentola returns to the room, she is so startled by the stranger that she drops a cup and saucer. She and Ramiro are instantly attracted to each other. Cenerentola is disappointed when the stranger says he is looking for Magnifico's daughters. Then she becomes nervous and shy when he asks who she is. She tells him of her life of drudgery, and the Prince finds himself falling hopelessly in love with her. Cenerentola's stepsisters call sharply to her from their rooms, and she goes to them. Ramiro remarks to himself that even though Cenerentola is in rags, he can see true beauty in her. Cenerentola begs her stepfather to take her to the ball "for just one hour." Magnifico laughs at the very thought, and tells her to leave him alone. Dandini returns to fetch Ramiro, and they both watch from outside the house. At the palace, the festivities have begun. Dandini - still pretending to be the Prince - is being chased by the two sisters and Don Magnifico is helping himself to the food. When Don Ramiro asks to be told the truth about Clorinda and Tisbe, his servant replies that "they're a mixture of bad manners, bad temper and vanity."

Alidoro interrupts to announce the arrival of a mysterious lady. Cenerentola appears, dressed in a beautiful gown given to her by Alidoro. Her face is hidden by a veil. When Cenerentola speaks, Don Ramiro feels certain he has heard her voice before. Dandini removes the girl's veil, and everyone present is struck by her loveliness. When he sees Cenerentola approaching with Dandini, Ramiro hides to eavesdrop on their conversation. Dandini has been completely charmed by Cenerentola. The Prince is surprised to hear Dandini protest that Cenerentola won't allow him to woo her. Cenerentola confesses that she is in love with another man, the Prince's valet! Hearing this, Ramiro comes out of hiding, still pretending to be a valet. "My dearest," he asks Cenerentola, "do rank and riches not appeal to your heart?" Cenerentola answers that she cares only for love and virtue. When Ramiro asks if she will be his, Cenerentola says that he must first learn more about her. She gives Ramiro one of her bracelets, saying: "Take this. Search for me. On my right wrist, you will see the companion to it. And then, if you still love me, you shall have won me."

Magnifico sends Cenerentola off to prepare supper and she leaves the room just as Ramiro and Dandini enter to seek shelter from the storm. Both are surprised to recognize Don Magnifico. The old man, hoping that the real Prince has come to woo one of his daughters, calls for Cenerentola to bring a chair for his highness.

Cenerentola is astonished to see Ramiro again so soon, and he is no less shocked to recognize the bracelet on her right arm. The Prince immediately declares his love for Cenerentola, to the total amazement of her stepfather and stepsisters. When she tries to embrace her family as a sign of forgiveness, they pull away from her. The Prince warns them that they will be sorry for he wants Cenerentola as his bride. While Don Magnifico and the stepsisters express their confusion, Cenerentola and Ramiro sing of their love.

Cendrillon (Massenet's Cinderella)

Characters

Cendrillon
Madame de la Haltièrem, her stepmother
Le Prince Charmant
La Fée
Noémie, stepsister of Cendrillon
Dorothée, stepsister of Cendrillon
Pandolfe, Cendrillon's father
Le Roi
Le Doyen de la Faculté
Le Surintendant des plaisirs
Le Premier Ministre

Synopsis:

Before leaving to the ball, Madame de la Haltière and her daughters adorn themselves, in hope that the Prince will notice them. Pandolfe complains about his wife, but finally follows her, submissive and sad to have to leave without her cherished Cendrillon who has been commanded to stay home by the wicked woman. After their departure, Cendrillon sets to work, but soon gained by weariness falls asleep. Her God-mother the Fairy, appears and decides to give her a chance to go to the ball. After having transformed her wretched clothes into rich ornaments and offered her glass slippers, she frees Cendrillon and sends her to the court ball but at one condition : she must be back before midnight. In a room of his palace, the Prince, waiting for the beginning of the festivities, is musing, full of dullness, and his attendants do all possible to entertain him, but unsuccessfully. In the following scene, the ball is in full swing when suddenly Cendrillon walks in the ballroom, attracting all eyes including these of her family who does not recognize her. The Prince makes advances to her, but twelve strikes, and Cendrillon rushes off the palace.

Cendrillon, while running home, has lost one of her glass slippers. Madame de la Haltière comments the ball and rejoices that the so-called coldness of the Prince made the unknown woman run away. Cendrillon has overheard her and faints. Pandolfe, irritated by his wife's endless gossips and her great ability to falsify reality loses control and bids her leave with rage. He tries to comfort Cendrillon, but the poor girl is disconsolate: she wants to die and flees and takes refuge under the Fairies' oak. Her God-mother comes and beckons the Prince to the oak. A bush stands between both Cendrillon and the Prince and together they beseech the Fairy to gather them. They are finally re-united and fall asleep in each other's arms.

A few days later, Cendrillon is at home and Pandolfe is at her side. She was found unconscious by the edge of a brook. An announcement is heralded that the Prince is searching the owner of the lost glass slipper. Cendrillon will show up at the palace. In the following scene, the Prince presents the slipper to all the girls of the region. Cendrillon tries it on : it perfectly fits! The Prince decides to marry her. Madame de la Haltière, with hypocritical sympathy, hugs Cendrillon.